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EP3324797B1 - Espresso milk frother probe - Google Patents

Espresso milk frother probe Download PDF

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Publication number
EP3324797B1
EP3324797B1 EP16826914.0A EP16826914A EP3324797B1 EP 3324797 B1 EP3324797 B1 EP 3324797B1 EP 16826914 A EP16826914 A EP 16826914A EP 3324797 B1 EP3324797 B1 EP 3324797B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
steam
tube
probe
steam tube
nozzle
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Active
Application number
EP16826914.0A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP3324797A1 (en
EP3324797A4 (en
Inventor
William Westmore Purton
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from AU2015902907A external-priority patent/AU2015902907A0/en
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Publication of EP3324797A1 publication Critical patent/EP3324797A1/en
Publication of EP3324797A4 publication Critical patent/EP3324797A4/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP3324797B1 publication Critical patent/EP3324797B1/en
Active legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47J—KITCHEN EQUIPMENT; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; APPARATUS FOR MAKING BEVERAGES
    • A47J31/00—Apparatus for making beverages
    • A47J31/44—Parts or details or accessories of beverage-making apparatus
    • A47J31/4489—Steam nozzles, e.g. for introducing into a milk container to heat and foam milk
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47J—KITCHEN EQUIPMENT; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; APPARATUS FOR MAKING BEVERAGES
    • A47J31/00—Apparatus for making beverages
    • A47J31/44—Parts or details or accessories of beverage-making apparatus
    • A47J31/4403—Constructional details
    • A47J31/441—Warming devices or supports for beverage containers
    • A47J31/4425—Supports for beverage containers when filled or while being filled
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47J—KITCHEN EQUIPMENT; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; APPARATUS FOR MAKING BEVERAGES
    • A47J2202/00—Devices having temperature indicating means

Definitions

  • This invention relates to improvements in milk frothers for espresso machines.
  • the present inventor developed an automatic milk frother disclosed in WO2014/165911 which included a sensor to determine the depth of milk in a jug; the steam probe or jug support being movable preferably driven by stepper motor, to maintain the tip of the probe below the milk surface; a temperature sensor to monitor the temperature of the milk in the jug; a micro controller which starts the process; maintains the position of the steam probe relative to the milk surface.
  • Document US2010/0154648 discloses a steam probe according to the preamble of claim 1.
  • the present invention provides a steam probe comprising the features of claim 1.
  • the air gap between the inner and outer tubes insulates the outer tube from the heat generated in the inner tube during the steam cycle.
  • the milk does not stick to the cool outer tube surface and no cleaning of the outer surface of the probe is necessary.
  • the steam itself keeps the inner surfaces of the probe clean.
  • the probe of this invention may be used in the milk frother disclosed in WO2014/165911
  • the temperature of the milk is sensed by a temperature sensor that monitors the temperature of the bottom wall of the milk jug .
  • a temperature sensor that monitors the temperature of the bottom wall of the milk jug .
  • a proprietary jug is used in which the base and lower wall of the jug is matt black.
  • the milk probe 10 attaches to the steam line 11 by a screw thread connection.
  • the probe consists of a double wall tube.
  • the inner tube 14 attaches to the steam line and the outer tube 15 is concentric with the inner tube 14 and spaced therefrom by spacers 16.
  • the air space 18 separates and insulates the outer tube 15 from the inner tube 14. This air space may be filled with any insulating material as an alternative insulator to air.
  • the tip 20 is welded to the end of outer tube 15 adjacent the end of the inner tube 14.
  • the tip 20 incorporates steam outlets 21. Because the temperature of the outer tube is kept low during the steam injection step, the milk does not adhere to the surface of the outer wall and no cleaning of that surface is needed between steam injections. As is conventional in the design of milk probes, it may be curved or serpentine along its length.
  • the temperature of the milk in the jug 30 is sensed by an infrared sensor 35 in the body of the milk frother 40.
  • the lower surface 31 of the jug 30 is coated to have a matt black surface to ensure an accurate temperature reading.
  • a preferred coating is Black Chromium which is slightly harder than nickel chrome and gives a matte black finish which is able to withstand the normal washing process.
  • the stainless steel jugs can also be spray-painted with matte black epoxy coatings or materials such as "ironstone" a non-stick coating - Whatever the material of choice is, it is preferably thin to allow the fastest transfer of heat.
  • Coatings may be applied using Vapour deposition or Plasma enhanced chemical vapour deposition use a direct current. A two-stage process is required for anodizing the surface: Ion Vapour deposition and then anodization in the normal way.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Food Science & Technology (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • Apparatus For Making Beverages (AREA)

Description

  • This invention relates to improvements in milk frothers for espresso machines.
    • Background to the invention
  • There is a World-wide trend in both developed and developing countries for increasing coffee consumption. The European styles of serving coffee with milk are by far the most popular - in particular, caffe latte, cappuccino and flat white coffee It is more time-consuming to produce the European styles of coffee as the milk has to be heated with the infusion of steam to create a frothiness or foam which is an essential component for the overall taste, mouth- feel and appearance of the coffee style.
  • The present inventor developed an automatic milk frother disclosed in WO2014/165911 which included a sensor to determine the depth of milk in a jug; the steam probe or jug support being movable preferably driven by stepper motor, to maintain the tip of the probe below the milk surface; a temperature sensor to monitor the temperature of the milk in the jug; a micro controller which starts the process; maintains the position of the steam probe relative to the milk surface. Document US2010/0154648 discloses a steam probe according to the preamble of claim 1.
  • It is an object of this invention to improve the performance of the known devices.
    • Brief description of the invention
  • To this end the present invention provides a steam probe comprising the features of claim 1.
  • The air gap between the inner and outer tubes insulates the outer tube from the heat generated in the inner tube during the steam cycle. By using stainless steel the milk does not stick to the cool outer tube surface and no cleaning of the outer surface of the probe is necessary. The steam itself keeps the inner surfaces of the probe clean.
  • Thus the probe of this invention may be used in the milk frother disclosed in WO2014/165911
  • In this milk frother the temperature of the milk is sensed by a temperature sensor that monitors the temperature of the bottom wall of the milk jug . To improve the accuracy of the temperature sensing a proprietary jug is used in which the base and lower wall of the jug is matt black.
    • Detailed Description of the invention
  • Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the drawings in which
    • Figure 1 is a schematic view of the tip of the steam probe;
    • Figure 2 illustrates a side view of the milk jug of this invention;
    • Figure 3 illustrates the position of a non-contact temperature sensor.
  • The embodiments described may be used in the milk frother as described in WO2014/165911 .
  • As shown in figure 1 the milk probe 10 attaches to the steam line 11 by a screw thread connection. The probe consists of a double wall tube. The inner tube 14 attaches to the steam line and the outer tube 15 is concentric with the inner tube 14 and spaced therefrom by spacers 16. The air space 18 separates and insulates the outer tube 15 from the inner tube 14. This air space may be filled with any insulating material as an alternative insulator to air. The tip 20 is welded to the end of outer tube 15 adjacent the end of the inner tube 14. The tip 20 incorporates steam outlets 21. Because the temperature of the outer tube is kept low during the steam injection step, the milk does not adhere to the surface of the outer wall and no cleaning of that surface is needed between steam injections. As is conventional in the design of milk probes, it may be curved or serpentine along its length.
  • The temperature of the milk in the jug 30 is sensed by an infrared sensor 35 in the body of the milk frother 40. The lower surface 31 of the jug 30 is coated to have a matt black surface to ensure an accurate temperature reading.
  • A preferred coating is Black Chromium which is slightly harder than nickel chrome and gives a matte black finish which is able to withstand the normal washing process. The stainless steel jugs can also be spray-painted with matte black epoxy coatings or materials such as "ironstone" a non-stick coating - Whatever the material of choice is, it is preferably thin to allow the fastest transfer of heat. Coatings may be applied using Vapour deposition or Plasma enhanced chemical vapour deposition use a direct current. A two-stage process is required for anodizing the surface: Ion Vapour deposition and then anodization in the normal way.
  • From the above it can be seen that this invention provides a unique means of increasing barista productivity without losing the quality of milk frothing required for premium espresso coffee products. Those skilled in the art will realise that this invention may be implemented in embodiments other than those described without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims (2)

  1. A steam probe (10) for a milk frothing apparatus, the steam probe comprising:
    an outer steam tube (15) comprising an inlet end and an outlet end;
    an inner steam tube (14) surrounded by said outer steam tube and spaced annularly from said outer steam tube, wherein the air space therebetween separates and insulates the outer tube from the inner tube, the inner steam tube comprising an inlet portion that protrudes from the inlet end of the outer steam tube and an outlet portion that protrudes from the outlet end of the outer steam tube;
    a nozzle (20) incorporating steam outlets (21) coupled to the outlet end of the outer steam tube, the nozzle surrounds the outlet portion of the inner steam tube which protrudes from the outlet end of the outer steam tube; and
    wherein an outer surface of the nozzle (20) and an outer surface of the outer steam tube (15) are flush where they abut so as to form a smooth continuous uninterrupted outer surface of the steam probe, characterized in that an end of the nozzle (20) abuts directly against and is welded to the outlet end of the outer steam tube (15) such that no portion of the nozzle (20) surrounds or is surrounded by the outer steam tube (15), and in that the probe is made from stainless steel.
  2. The steam probe as claimed in claim 1 wherein the inlet portion of the inner steam tube (14) comprises an outer surface having screw threads configured for directly coupling the inlet portion of the inner steam tube (14) to a steam line (11).
EP16826914.0A 2015-07-22 2016-07-18 Espresso milk frother probe Active EP3324797B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU2015902907A AU2015902907A0 (en) 2015-07-22 Espresso milk frother probe
PCT/AU2016/000256 WO2017011853A1 (en) 2015-07-22 2016-07-18 Espresso milk frother probe

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP3324797A1 EP3324797A1 (en) 2018-05-30
EP3324797A4 EP3324797A4 (en) 2019-04-24
EP3324797B1 true EP3324797B1 (en) 2023-08-23

Family

ID=57833465

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP16826914.0A Active EP3324797B1 (en) 2015-07-22 2016-07-18 Espresso milk frother probe

Country Status (11)

Country Link
US (1) US10893774B2 (en)
EP (1) EP3324797B1 (en)
JP (3) JP2018519946A (en)
KR (1) KR102745666B1 (en)
CN (1) CN107920682A (en)
AU (3) AU2016297674A1 (en)
CA (1) CA2991795A1 (en)
ES (1) ES2965304T3 (en)
SG (1) SG10201913985PA (en)
WO (1) WO2017011853A1 (en)
ZA (1) ZA201801170B (en)

Families Citing this family (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US10258191B2 (en) 2015-09-18 2019-04-16 Starbucks Corporation Beverage dispensing systems and methods
US10531761B2 (en) 2015-09-18 2020-01-14 Starbucks Corporation Beverage preparation systems and methods
AU2017231093B2 (en) * 2016-03-07 2020-03-12 Breville Pty Limited Steam wand
IT201900009249A1 (en) * 2019-06-17 2020-12-17 Gruppo Cimbali Spa Milk whipping apparatus and method for whipping milk using this apparatus
CN110236399B (en) * 2019-07-18 2024-09-03 中山市诚泰金属有限公司 Scald-proof steam pipe
CN110313803B (en) * 2019-07-26 2021-02-12 九阳股份有限公司 Steam heating cooking utensil
IT201900018983A1 (en) * 2019-10-16 2021-04-16 La Marzocco Srl Steam wand and method for frothing the milk
IT202000008128A1 (en) * 2020-04-16 2021-10-16 De Longhi Appliances Srl COFFEE MACHINE
NL2025751B1 (en) * 2020-06-04 2022-01-26 Bravilor Bonamat B V A coffee or milk machine and a method of operating such a machine
WO2025155326A1 (en) 2024-01-18 2025-07-24 Sharkninja Operating Llc Preparation of beverage machines for cold beverage brewing
US12369741B1 (en) 2024-01-18 2025-07-29 Sharkninja Operating Llc Preventing coffee bean grinder jamming

Citations (2)

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EP2789276A1 (en) * 2013-04-11 2014-10-15 Modbar, LLC Modular beverage making and dispensing apparatus
CN204410572U (en) * 2014-02-07 2015-06-24 格鲁普西姆贝利有限公司 For the device using steam to carry out a certain amount of liquid in heating container

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ES1004042Y (en) * 1987-12-03 1989-03-16 Oficina De Investigacion Agrupada, S.A. DEVICE FOR THE EMISSION OF WATER VAPOR APPLICABLE TO DOMESTIC COFFEE MAKERS.
DE3942169A1 (en) * 1989-12-20 1991-06-27 Bosch Siemens Hausgeraete CAPPUCCINODUESE
DE29502594U1 (en) * 1995-02-17 1995-04-06 Arthur Eugster AG, Romanshorn Multi-purpose frothing aid, especially for espresso machines
US6644177B1 (en) * 2002-11-18 2003-11-11 Lundar Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. Milk foaming structure adapted to a coffee maker
ITTO20030168U1 (en) * 2003-10-31 2005-05-01 Rancilio Macchine Caffe IMMERSION DEVICE FOR HEATING A LIQUID.
JP2007268452A (en) * 2006-03-31 2007-10-18 Fujifilm Corp Solution concentration apparatus and method
JP2007315368A (en) * 2006-05-25 2007-12-06 Sango Co Ltd Vehicle exhaust pipe
CN201197623Y (en) * 2008-04-15 2009-02-25 厦门灿坤实业股份有限公司 Milk steamer machine capable of automatically perceiving temperature of milk
IT1392463B1 (en) * 2008-12-18 2012-03-09 Nuova Simonelli S P A DISHWASHER HANDLE-STEAM FOR ELECTRIC COFFEE MACHINES.
WO2011000139A1 (en) * 2009-06-29 2011-01-06 Liu Tsung-Hsi Infrared temperature measuring steam heater
IT1400265B1 (en) * 2010-05-28 2013-05-24 Gruppo Cimbali Spa DEVICE FOR HEATING AND MOUNTING THE MILK AND ITS METHOD
CH703364A2 (en) * 2010-06-24 2011-12-30 Eversys Ag An apparatus for treating a liquid, preferably milk, with a steam-carrying dip tube.
WO2014165911A2 (en) * 2013-04-10 2014-10-16 William Westmore Purton Espresso milk frother
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Patent Citations (2)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP2789276A1 (en) * 2013-04-11 2014-10-15 Modbar, LLC Modular beverage making and dispensing apparatus
CN204410572U (en) * 2014-02-07 2015-06-24 格鲁普西姆贝利有限公司 For the device using steam to carry out a certain amount of liquid in heating container

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AU2021202816B2 (en) 2023-10-26
JP2023113824A (en) 2023-08-16
ES2965304T3 (en) 2024-04-12
WO2017011853A1 (en) 2017-01-26
AU2021202816A1 (en) 2021-05-27
US10893774B2 (en) 2021-01-19
AU2016297674A1 (en) 2018-01-18
US20180213968A1 (en) 2018-08-02
CA2991795A1 (en) 2017-01-26
KR102745666B1 (en) 2024-12-20
AU2019204643A1 (en) 2019-07-25
ZA201801170B (en) 2019-07-31
CN107920682A (en) 2018-04-17
EP3324797A1 (en) 2018-05-30
EP3324797A4 (en) 2019-04-24
SG10201913985PA (en) 2020-03-30
JP2025137883A (en) 2025-09-22
KR20180048628A (en) 2018-05-10
JP2018519946A (en) 2018-07-26

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